This wasn't supposed to happen yet. But I was so completely strapped for ideas that I decided I'd put it here. But don't worry, after this, we're onto the bit that I have completely planned for. I have nothing else to add to this, so on with the chapter.
Chapter 77:
Sparky
A week away. They are now a week away. If their flying types weren't so tired out from the stretches of flight they had to do, they could probably make it in much less time. Not to mention Haxorus has to be in Mega form to be able to fly, and he can't hold that form for a long time, not without tiring both him and Iris out. So, for what looks like the rest of the way, they're on foot. Luckily they still have 2 weeks to get there before registration closes. Which means they have a week to hang around Lumiose City, something that Paul is rather pleased about. When Miette asks why he's glad to have that week gap, all he says in response is, "Something weird has been happening to me lately. I'd like the time to check up on it."
As it turns out, Max also has a reason to be glad for that extra week. This morning, while packing up, Bonnie receives a call from her father. She slips away from their campsite to talk with him, while the rest of them pack it all away. A few minutes later, she returns, looking quite happy. "What's up?" Max asks. "Did you get any good news?" Bonnie shakes her head. "No, it's more like daddy got good news," she explains. "He was just calling to make sure I'd be back in time for my birthday." Max freezes at this. "Her birthday is coming?" he thinks to himself. "Why didn't she say something? Wait, what if she did and I wasn't listening? Oh Palkia on a stick if that's the case I'm screwed!"
Out loud, he asks hesitantly, "Oh. What did you say?" Bonnie shrugs. "Just that we will be back in time for it," she replies. "It's not for another week and a half after all." Max feels quite relieved to hear this. Not only because he actually has time to get her something, but also because the way she said this most likely means that she hadn't told him this before. His feelings of relief are interrupted by Mallow, who heard their conversation and begins asking Bonnie about her birthday. Bonnie proceeds to explain that in a week and a half she'll be turning 11, and her dad wanted to make sure whether or not she'll be celebrating it in Lumiose or on the road. Mallow wishes her an early happy birthday, then resumes packing her stuff.
Once everyone is ready to go, they set off again. As they do, Max begins thinking hard about what he should get Bonnie. He's known her for nearly a year now, and he hopes that will be enough to help him pick something out in Lumiose. He ends up spending most of the day thinking about this, which is something Lana notices. So, as the evening begins to set in, she slows him down so they can talk in private without having to stop. "What's wrong?" she asks him. "You seem stressed." Max tries to shrug it off, but she keeps pressing him. So, he sighs and confesses his worry about getting Bonnie a birthday present. Lana listens to his worries silently until he finishes speaking. Then, she puts an arm around his shoulder.
"I obviously can't speak for Bonnie at all," she tells him. "But from what I've seen of her while travelling, I don't think she'll care what you give her, just as long as you're there. After all, you have only known each other for a year, so it won't be bad if you get her something that she doesn't like as much as other things." Max becomes nervous at this thought. "What I mean is," Lana adds, seeing where Max's mind went with this, "I think you should stop thinking about it so much. At least until we get to Lumiose. You'll have half a week to browse through all of the shops to choose something for her then." Max nods at this. "I guess you have a point" he says. "Exactly," Lana agrees. "So, stop worrying for now, and just pick something she'll like when we get to Lumiose, ok?" Max agrees with this idea, then runs to catch up with Bonnie. Lana smiles at the two of them, before sidling over to walk with Mallow.
That night, while Max, Bonnie, and their travel companions settle down for the night, something disrupts a field near to the streets of Lumiose City. A giant mettle container, being carried by six large helicopters. The helicopters set it down gently, and it begins to shake violently, as though whatever is in there is trying to break out. But before it can, the helicopters land, and out of the lead one steps Admin Momiji. She pulls a remote out of her coat pocket and presses one of the buttons. Instantly there's a muffled roar of pain, and the shaking stops. At this, Admin Homura steps out of the second copter. Momiji rounds on him. "I told you this was a terrible idea!" she shouts at him. "It took us nearly 6 months to transport Rayquaza stealthily! We could've been done with 3 or 4 regions by now! But no, you insisted that we bring them here and televise this to the world, all because you got your fragile ego hurt by two children! And of course, the Power Station is in the middle of the most populated city in Kalos!"
By the time her little rant is done, the other 3 Admins and their Sub-Admins have climbed out of the helicopters. Other flying vehicles have also landed around them, with several agents getting out. Homura listens to Momiji's rant, before chuckling a bit. "What's so funny?" Momiji demands. Homura holds his hands up in surrender, but his voice is still full of amusement. "You think I didn't think of that?" he asks. "What would be the point of putting a spy in a power station if I didn't have a plan for her to sneak us in." Then, he pulls out a radio. "Ok Sparky, you're up," he says into it. "Get this right, and you will be fully initiated into this group." He cuts the radio and sees that Momiji has removed her mask, in order to stare at Homura with utmost fury and disbelief. "You used a recruit as a plant?!" she asks. "Oh if you had told my that sooner I would've vetoed this idea!" Admin Kasei stands beside Homura at this. "I'll admit, I am more sceptical of this plan now that we know this" she admits. At this, Homura raises a hand and points to the city.
At that moment, all of the lights go out. A young woman's voice comes through Homura's radio. "This is only temporary in order to avoid suspicion," Sparky tells them. "So, I recommend you get a move on!" Homura raises the radio to his mouth. "Copy that Sparky," he says. "Good work. Now, make sure the doors are open and that no one sees us entering, understood?" "Copy that!" Sparky replies, before the radio cuts again. Homura puts the radio back onto his belt and smirks at Momiji under his mask. "I suggest you put that mask back on, Head Admin," he says mockingly. "Because we've got work to do." Resisting the urge to strangle the Admin while calling him some very choice words, Momiji puts her mask back on, and orders the agents to load their machine into a truck.
While this is happening, Sparky quietly sneaks out of the control room and heads down the hall towards the entrance, wearing a long cloak to avoid being recognised. She measured the entrance to the building when she first arrived 8 months prior. It's big enough for Team Terra's machine to fit through, but she needs to make sure no one comes across them while they do this. With all of the set up that's needed, they're looking at around 2 weeks of work. She can only hope that she'll be able to keep it all hidden from Clemont for that long. She reaches the main entrance way and waits in the shadows, in case anyone comes by. Luckily for her, no one does. Team Terra arrive with the device unopposed. She had the foresight to tweak the system a bit, so that if anyone were to come and check on the power station, it will look like a failsafe had been triggered, and that the Tower will be up and running shortly.
Once Team Terra have taken the machine out of the truck, Sparky sneaks out of the shadows and lets them in. The agents carry the machine through the door, and Sparky quietly leads the way over to the lifts, which are also big enough for this thing. As the agents load the device into the lift, the 5 Admins enter the building. Sparky tells the agents which floor to take the device to, then steps out of the lift to speak with the Admins. "Excellent work Sparky," Homura commends her. "You truly have proven yourself to be a worthy member of our organisation." Sparky is pleased to hear this, but Momiji interrupts them. "Not so fast Homura," she tells him. "This mission has not yet been complete. Once it is done, we will consider you." Sparky bows at this. "But first," Momiji adds, "you must tell me your name. I want to know if I can trust you." Sparky nods, then takes her hood down, revealing long blonde hair and amber eyes. "Megan," she says, extending her hand. "My name is Megan."
Be honest, how many of you saw that coming (Question does not apply to my beta reader because he already knew about it)? Fun fact about Megan, when I first created her I had no plans to make her a Team Terra spy. She was merely going to be a new friend. But, when I wrote her out of going into the PRA right after some Team Terra goons were sent flying, I realised how suspicious that looked, which gave me this idea. Now, do not worry, from now until the end of this volume, these chapters have proper plans. As for afterwards, no promises. But anyway, I'll see you all on Saturday with the next chapter.